Man representing himself in Mount Clemens molestation case

A former nurse is representing himself in his trial scheduled for next month on charges he sexually molested and abused two female juvenile relatives.

Daniel Daniels, 55, is accused of two counts of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, one count of second-degree criminal sexual conduct and three counts of child abuse. Daniels, who previously worked at Henry Ford Macomb Hospital in Warren, allegedly abused and molested the children in a Mount Clemens home.

Daniels is the brother of Macomb County Sheriff’s Lt. David Daniels, who commands the sheriff’s Selective Enforcement Team and has been a department member for many years.

Sheriff Anthony Wickersham said Detective Dave Kennedy investigated the matter in a professional, objective manner, with Daniels receiving no special treatment.

“We’re professionals,” Wickersham said. “In a case like this, a distance is kept between the defendant and Lt. Daniels.”

The prospective trial testimony of Daniel Daniels’ accusers, who are 11 and 9 years old, as well as another 10-year-old girl, was the subject of a hearing Thursday in Macomb County Circuit Court in Mount Clemens.

Daniels is seeking to personally cross-examine the girls during the trial as part of his Sixth Amendment right to confront his accusers.

But county Assistant Prosecutor Jean Cloud argued against that proposal, saying the girls are “terrified” of Daniels. She suggested to Judge James Biernat Jr. that Daniels feed the questions to his advisory attorney, Steven Freers, who would quiz the girls.

“These three girls are extremely fearful of (Daniels),” Cloud said. “We’re not saying he doesn’t have a right to confrontation but not at the cost of three young children.. … They fear retribution. Imagine the trauma they will suffer if he’s allowed to cross-examine them. It could get ugly.”

She noted that one of the girl’s testimony at the preliminary examination lasted all day due to her many breaks due to the emotional trauma.

In response, Daniels called it “ridiculous … that they’re terrified of me.” He attacked the case against him, contending the girls were manipulated by “overzealous prosecutors, overzealous counselors” who drew out the accusations after many attempts.

“They have taken benevolent gestures,” such as “cuddling” or a “slap on the butt” and turned them into assault allegations, he said.

Freers proposed the judge conduct an evidentiary hearing, although Biernat wondered how the girls would be questioned by the defendant’s side for the hearing.

Biernat took the matter under advisement and is expected to rule by the Sept. 17 trial date.

If convicted of first-degree criminal sexual conduct, Daniels faces a mandatory minimum of 25 years in prison.